Energy giant Santos and the Queensland government are conspiring to trample Aboriginal rights and put vital waterways at risk.

Santos' deal with Premier Campbell Newman allows it to frack Queensland's Channel Country. This territory has traditionally been the home of the Mithaka people, whose cultural identity and way of life depend on the waterways that Santos intends to destroy.

The Queensland State election was only recently called, and our ability to influence Newman is greater than ever. Pundits have suggested it's "fairly likely" that Newman will lose his seat -- and that means he'll be doing anything he can to show the public that he's worthy of being re-elected. 

If we want Premier Newman to put citizens' rights above corporations' profits, we have to make sure that our voice is heard loud and clear. 

Sign the petition to Premier Newman, demanding that he reinstate the "wild rivers" laws and respect indigenous rights!

Previously, this fragile ecosystem was protected by "wild rivers" legislation. However, the Newman government changed the law to allow for fracking of shale oil deposits there. The Mithaka, unable to have their voices heard by their own state government, have even asked the UN to intervene.

Fracking is dangerous and destructive to land, water, and people. Santos knows this -- it wasn't that long ago that Santos was busted because its coal seam gas project contaminated a nearby aquifer in north-western NSW. An official investigation found that the water had uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines. 

This incident proved that coal seam gas and fracking activity in Australia is damaging to our health. Fracking has been linked to cancer, as well as birth defects. Children may suffer life-long health problems after exposure to even a small amount of fracking's poisonous mix. 

Premier Newman's decision to subvert the law and disregard indigenous rights is shameful, and a dangerous precedent not just for Queensland but for the entire nation. 

This is a rare opportunity for us to really make an impact. Campbell Newman is notorious for doing the deeds of Big Business. But Newman can only get re-elected to State Parliament by the people. If we can show the Queensland Government that this is an unpopular decision, we can force Campbell Newman to finally once put people over profits. 

Will you sign on to tell Premier Newman not to exempt frackers from the law, and to protect indigenous rights and our water supply?

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More information: 

Queensland Indigenous group appeals to UN over mining on traditional land, The Guardian, 3 December 2015

Santos coal seam gas project contaminates aquifer, Sydney Morning Herald, 8 March 2014

"Fairly likely" Campbell Newman will lose seat of Ashgrove, ABC, 6 January 2015